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Murray: We are confident

Euan Murray claims Newcastle have been swotting up on their homework ahead of Saturday's crunch clash with Leeds.

By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC

Last Updated: 07/04/11 3:12pm

Murray: Is confident Newcastle can topple Leeds

Scotland prop Euan Murray claims Newcastle have been swotting up on their homework ahead of Saturday's crunch Aviva Premiership clash with Leeds.

A victory for Leeds over Exeter last time out cut the deficit at the bottom of the table to just two points - and although the Falcons have a game in hand, they know they can't afford to slip up against their relegation rivals.

Murray, who is set to be the cornerstone of the Newcastle pack on Saturday, admits his side know exactly what they will face at Kingston Park.

"We have been studying Leeds in depth and looking at their strengths and how to combat them," Murray told skysports.com

"They have got a very good set of forwards. They used them to good effect in the last game and got a good win."

Despite seeing Leeds cut the gap, Newcastle, can take heart from the fact that they were victorious in the reverse fixture at Headingley in February.

Disappointing

Murray, who missed that 22-5 win, said: "For the squad it has helped knowing that we have gone away and won."

The Falcons will go into the game on the back of three straight defeats - having gone down to Gloucester twice (in the LV= Cup final and in the league) and Saracens.

However, prior to that they had recorded back-to-back wins over Harlequins and Leeds, a much-needed win in their battle to remain in the top flight.

And Murray insists the side a confident that they can get the result they need on Saturday.

"We are feeling good," he said.

"We have played a couple of hard games against sides at the top in recent weeks and we have performed well for the majority.

"It was just in the last 20 minutes where we have lost it and that has been disappointing.

"We have had a good day's training, though, and we are confident about Saturday."

Focused

With the regular season moving rapidly towards its conclusion, the clash is being billed as a relegation decider.

However Murray insists the Falcons squad are refusing to get wrapped up in the pre-match pressures.

"We view it as just another game for us," he said.

"We have got four games at home and then one away at Bath in the last match of the season so there are still lots of points to play for.

"A win on Saturday, though, would give us a good cushion and we are confident that we can perform but we have got to keep focused."

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